Phillipsburg back on track to broadcast council meetings on public access channel

Phillipsburg entered into a 15-year franchise agreement with Service Electric this week, but more importantly the town took steps toward broadcasting council meetings on its public access channel.

Tim Himmelwright, Service Electric's manager of communication and public affairs, presented an option to town officials to purchase a file server to get the channel working.

Phillipsburg’s broadcast equipment broke in March when the town’s public access committee was trying to upload a test video on Service Electric Channel 262. The town has unsuccessfully tried to televise meetings on the channel since early 2011.

The repairs were estimated at more than $6,000, leading to reservations from officials.

The file server, however, would cost $1,600, Himmelwright said.

“I think it answers our problems,” said Councilman John Lynn Jr., who also serves as chairman of the access committee. “Once we get it up and running, it will be an easy process.”

In addition to council meetings, Lynn said the channel will offer other communities the opportunity to broadcast on the channel.

The proposal prompted officials and residents to chip in for the $1,600 file server.

Lynn and Mayor Harry Wyant Jr. said they would also donate for the server, but wouldn’t disclose the amount.

“I think $1,600 is a very minimal amount with all the options we can get out of it,” Piazza said.

Himmelwright estimates the channel could be operational in about three months after the town can secure the funds.

The file server can be programmed to run meetings or announcements, Himmelwright said. He added that in the absence of programming time and temperature would be displayed so the channel wouldn’t be blank.

Lynn also proposed the possibility of displaying council videos on the town’s website.

“I think it’s a positive thing and the step in the right direction,” Tersigni said.